Hebrews, 7

1. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

1. Scripture says that Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, came out to meet Abraham who returned from defeating the kings. He blessed Abraham and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.

2. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

2. Let us note that the name Melchizedek means King of Justice, and that king of Salem means king of Peace.

3. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

3. There is no mention of father, mother or genealogy; nothing is said about the beginning or the end of his life. In this he is the figure of the Son of God, the priest who remains forever.

4. Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

4. See then how great Melchizedek was. Even Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils!

5. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

5. When the descendants of Levi are consecrated priests, they are commanded to collect tithes from their people, that is from their kindred, who are too, are descendants of Abraham.

6. But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

6. Here, however, Melchizedek, who does not belong to the family of the Levites, is given tithes from Abraham. Still more, he blesses him, the man of God's promise.

7. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

7. There is no doubt that he who blesses is higher than the one who is blessed.

8. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

8. In the first case we see that tithes are received by those who are mortals; here instead, Melchizedek is mentioned as one who lives on.

9. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

9. When Abraham pays the tenth, it is, so to speak, the Levites, receivers of the tithes, who pay the tithe,

10. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

10. because, in a way, Levi was still in the body of Abraham, his ancestor, when Melchizedek met him.

11. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

11. The institutions of the chosen people are founded upon the Levitical priesthood, but with it they could not attain what is perfect and permanent. If that were possible, why would there be need of another priest after the order of Melchizedek instead of Aaron's?

12. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

12. If there is a change in the priesthood, the Law also has to be changed.

13. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

13. Jesus, to whom all this has reference, was from a tribe that never served at the altar.

14. For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

14. All know that he belonged to the tribe of Judah that is not mentioned by Moses when he speaks of the priesthood.

15. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

15. All this, however, becomes clear if this priest after the likeness of Melchizedek

16. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

16. has in fact received his mission, not on the basis of any human law, but by the power of an immortal life.

17. For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

17. Because Scripture says: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

18. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

18. With this the former disposition is removed as insufficient and useless

19. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

19. (for the Law did not bring anything to perfection). At the same time a better hope is given to us: that of drawing near to God.

20. And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:

20. This change is confirmed by God's oath. When the others became priests, God did not compromise himself with an oath,

21. (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

21. but Jesus is confirmed with an oath, as it is said: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: you are a priest forever.

22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

22. Therefore, Jesus is our assurance of a better covenant.

23. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

23. The former priests were many since, as mortal men, they could not remain in office.

24. But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

24. But Jesus remains forever and the priesthood shall not be taken from him.

25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

25. Consequently he is able to save for all time those who approach God through him. He always lives to intercede on their behalf.

26. For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

26. It was fitting that our High Priest be holy, undefiled, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

27. a priest who does not first need to offer sacrifice for himself before offering for the sins of the people, as high priests do. He offered himself in sacrifice once and for all.

28. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

28. And whereas the Law elected weak men as high priests, now, after the Law, the word of God with an oath appointed the Son, made perfect forever.